TobinMueller

Mueller's prog fusion release WONDER is "A masterpiece in the Epic Prog tradition.” - Eric Harabadian, Progressive Magazine A prog rock anthem that celebrates the seeds of rebellion and freedom in us all: our innocence, our desire to realize who we can become, our inner child. But it also honors those on who's shoulders we were originally raised. “'WONDER' balances raw power and haunting beauty in both its music and lyrics.” - Kathy Parson There is irony to the story of a son who finds his inspiration to rebel in the very dignity his parents upheld, especially a child of the 60s. We must all forge our own sense of dignity, however, and many times that requires defiance and new definitions. Mueller's point is that rebellion need not be born of violence or envy, but of love and virtue-seeking. Many times that virtue is inspired by those who came before us. The video features home movies from Mueller's youth, footage of the band performing through the years, close-ups of the Mueller's (father and son) singing in the studio, and photos from different eras of their lives. Additional clips of childhood scenes from across the world supplement the universal themes. Music features: Anton Mueller (lead vocals, bass); Tobin Mueller (additional vocals, organ, synths); Darren Chapman (guitars); Rob Thurman (drums). Produced by Kenny Cash, Factory Underground Studio. This video is dedicated to Tobin's father (Anton's grandfather) George P. Mueller. Tobin has posted an hour biography homage to him on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NB6Ioh4x1ts Be the change. The change is me. The change is you. Best listened to in headphones to experience bass notes, higher fidelity. More reviews of the album WONDER: “A symphonic whirlwind of prog passion! The album flows from idea to idea like birds winging from tree to tree. Led by the massive keyboards of Tobin Mueller, the dense harmonies of vocalist Anton, contributions from the likes of Scott Rockenfield (Queensrÿche), Bob Piper (Pleiades), Grammy-winner Michael Hedges, Japanese guitar legend Tadashi Togawa, Rob Thurman (Navigator), Darren Chapman (Out of the Blue), Aaron Paul, Steve Stone, Mystified, Shadow of Nine... ‘WONDER’ is a true combination of energy and poetry. I predict you will return to this album time and time again.” - Brian Gerhart, Progressive Ears "Excellent Jazz Fusion Progressive Rock.” - Denis Longo, Progressive Era Produced by Kenny Cash, Factory Underground Studio. For more information on the new double album, see: https://www.tobinmueller.com/wonder/ https://tobinmueller.hearnow.com/wonder https://www.tobinmueller.com/interpretivejazzpiano/ https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/tobinmueller25 https://open.spotify.com/album/7vXdpaxArWcGxYMc0Sit3q

Headliner track from Mueller's blockbuster jazz album "Standard Deviations" features fusion performers Paul Nelson (Grammy winning blues guitarist), Woody Mankowski (jazz saxophonist), Lamar Moore (funk/hiphop drummer), Tobin Mueller (jazz/prog keyboardist) on piano/organ, Kenny Cash (jazz/hiphop) on bass/production. Standard Deviations" is an exploration of and an homage to the great Jazz Standards of the 20th century. 33 unique arrangements, fresh harmonic and conceptual "deviations". Some tracks combine multiple tunes, letting one melody "deviate" into another, showing how many of these celebrated tunes are related to each another. This particular arrangement is an homage not only to W. C. Handy, but to Herbie Hancock, Dr. John and Paul Butterfield as well. The straight ahead funk shuffle played by drummer Lamar Moore gives this legendary tune a fresh feel. Blues, funk and jazz are kept in careful yet impromptu balance. Woody Mankowski's jazz saxophone interjections, my organ and piano work, and hip bass playing form the core. However, Grammy-winning Paul Nelson's electric guitar is the true centerpiece. The conversational nature of trading solos is grounded in the jazz tradition, but Paul's lead guitar transforms this multi-genre arrangement into a vintage blues piece. By the time Bessie Smith had the opportunity to put her inimitable stamp on “St. Louis Blues” in 1925, this W. C. Handy classic was already the most popular and well-known blues song in existence. It's one of the first songs I accompanied my mother on, as a teenager. For more details, complete liner notes, free bonus tracks: https://www.tobinmueller.com/standard/ Original jazz recording "What Survives" https://www.tobinmueller.com/whatsurvives/ Latest jazz-funk fusion recording "Prestidigitation" https://www.tobinmueller.com/prestidigitation/

Contemporary funk, combining post-bop jazz with Big Band Funk, featuring Woody Mankowski on sax. He takes scorching solos on both tenor and soprano saxophone. Written and arranged by Tobin Mueller for "Come In Funky", the album teams Mueller and Mankowski with bass legend Ron Carter. Check it out: https://www.tobinmueller.com/funk/ The title is a play on Woody's real first name, Forrest. Mueller and Mankowski have collaborated on many recordings, including "The Muller's Wheel" (later rereleased as "Müller's Wheel"), "What Survives", "Standard Deviations", "If I Could Live Long Enough" and, most recently, "Prestidigitation". For more information, see: https://www.tobinmueller.com/bio/

Celebrate the Spirit of New Orleans with this 7:30 minute blues jazz journey down Bourbon Street. Features Woody Mankowski on tenor sax; Fran Dagostino on electric guitar; Tobin Mueller on B3 organ; Jeff Cox on bass; Dane Richeson on drums. "Müller's Wheel" is a collection of original jazz tunes that move from swing into bop into funk into fusion, although most every track has an element of bop-funk. Each tune has true personality and displays the jazz chops of every player. The original project, titled "The Muller's Wheel", was released as a digital album in 2011. Success led the producers to release a remastered version on CD the following year. The album is a collaboration between keyboardist Tobin Mueller and saxophonist Woody Mankowski. Most of the tracks are performed by a quartet, a few have a full ensemble, and a few are multi-layered duets in which Tobin and Woody play multiple instruments. These original tracks represent their personal journey through jazz influences: Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Herbie Hancock, The Brecker Brothers, Weather Report... Even the blues: ("Struttin' Up Bourbon"). In all, the duo's originality permeate each track, each jazz sub-genre. For more info, see: https://www.tobinmueller.com/wheel/

This is the opening track to Mueller's 2020 album "WHAT SURVIVES - Radio Edits" produced by Factory Underground Studio's Kenny Cash, recorded at Lawrence University, mixed at Sound City (L.A.) An excellent example of contemporary Big Band jazz. Like much of Mueller's music, it fuses funk, post-bop, high energy modern jazz. The piece has multiple climaxes, moving from mid-tempo chill to explosive crescendos. The Ensemble: Tobin Mueller - B3 organ Doug Schneider - tenor saxophone (soloist) Woody Mankowski - soprano saxophone (soloist) Tom Washatka - tenor saxophone Ken Schaphorst - flugelhorn Bob Levy - trumpet Dane Richeson - drums Jeff Cox - acoustic bass Chris Mueller - acoustic piano See Mueller's website for additional info: https://www.tobinmueller.com/whatsurvives/ For complete WHAT SURVIVES album YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZR-DHjgyV2KF4ftiAWVghcYmM1QzhOBG To listen to WHAT SURVIVES (Radio Edits) without interruption: https://tobinmueller.hearnow.com/what-survives-radio-edits To listen to entire 2-Volume WHAT SURVIVES: https://tobinmueller.hearnow.com/what-survives

This title track from Tobin Mueller's newest solo piano album, "Instead of Heaven" demonstrates Mueller's versatility as a composer and pianist. The music combines Romantic Impressionism and modal jazz, creating a hybrid style that is Mueller's hallmark. "Once again proving his unpredictability as a composer, pianist and musical storyteller, Tobin Mueller's 'Instead of Heaven' is a collection of ten solo piano meditations inspired by Greek mythology, arranged as an instrumental song cycle. Mueller's creativity and musical ideas know no bounds..." - Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano Musical influence include modern pianists such as Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, John Taylo, Kenny Wheeler, Tigran Hamasyan, Liz Story, as well as Chopin, Debussy, Rachmoninov and traditional Celtic folk. The inspiration for this piece centers on the Greek poet Hesiod, the first writer in the Western tradition that regards the author as an individual capable of playing an active role in the telling of the story. Even though it is the 5th track on the album, it was the first track Mueller composed for this project and represents the style he was building on. The piece explores connections between the heavenly and the existential. Beginning with a metaphorical starfield, it finds its footing in a simple melody underscored by shifting chords. After many variations, the straightforward final section leaves one with a sense of deserved satisfaction, the earned result of a meditative journey. "Instead of Heaven" is a song cycle of meditative piano solos inspired by Greek myths. The video series includes stories and lore, incorporating gorgeous artwork from classic to modern. Please check out the other videos in this series. "There are special moments in each composition that are uniquely breathtaking. Inventive chord progressions add to the musical language of both modal post-bop jazz and contemporary classical piano. Mueller's music is often virtuosic yet avoids showiness. Everything feels organic and true. He requires the listener to pay attention yet also frees them to go on imaginative tangents. Storytelling on a deeply poignant level infuses every piece, expressing a singular personal honesty while revealing universal emotions. A rarity." - George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly Produced by Kenny Cash, Factory Underground Studios. For more info, free downloads and complete liner notes, see: https://www.tobinmueller.com/heaven/

Sizzling solo work by blues guitar Grammy winner Paul Nelson highlights this recording, a medley that combines "Moanin'" (Bobby Timmons) with "Blue Monk" (Thelonious Monk) on Volume 1 track 5 of "Standard Deviations". Deviating between tunes as well as blues and jazz styles is what the album is all about. Mike Nappi on drums, Tobin Mueller on piano, organ, synths and bass. The arrangement begins traditionally with the great blues standard, Moanin', but quickly transforms into modern fusion before Blue Monk takes over. Mike Nappi's drumming adeptly fuses the jazz and rock world, setting the stage for Paul Nelson's powerful electric guitar work. Paul uses three different guitar settings to provide wonderfully evocative blues variations. My piano channels Thelonious Monk, emphasizing harmony over lead phrasing, creating a nice contrast to the intricate guitar solo. My Trilogy bass weaves its a dreamy pulse just beneath the surface. For complete liner notes, bonus tracks etc., see: https://www.tobinmueller.com/standard/

The beautiful setting for this unique version of America was inspired by Bill Evan's contemplative composition "Peace Piece". But it is Woody Mankowski's haunting vocals that stand out, merging R&B, jazz & patriotic reverence. Elements of hope, nostalgia, admiration & serenity flow through the performance. Mueller's layered keyboards, bells & synths add even more dimension. His acoustic bass playing is particularly stunning. A quiet yet powerful ending to Mueller's latest studio release, "Prestidigitation". Lyrics were originally written by Samuel Francis Smith. Additional lyrics were added by abolitionist A. G. Duncan. The last verse was taken from others added for George Washington's Centennial. • Woody Mankowski: vocals • Tobin Mueller: Wurlitzer electric pianos, celeste, toy piano, glockenspiel, ARP 2600, ES2 synths, Trilian acoustic bass "Prestidigitation" features Grammy winner Paul Nelson on guitar; David Dejesus (director of the Birdland Jazz Club) on saxophone; Nashville's Mikie Martel on trumpet; D.C.'s Bill Barner on clarinet; El Caballero percussionist Ruben de Ruiter on congas (Amsterdam Funk Orchestra, John Patitucci Band); Woody Mankowski (What Survives, Standard Deviations) on vocals & soprano sax; newcomer Isaiah Schmidt (Berklee School of Music) on drums. Emily Rohm also contributes vocals on the track, "Sorceress". Cover art by Jim Weidert. Produced by Kenny Cash, Factory Underground Studio. For complete liner notes, see: https://www.tobinmueller.com/prestidigitation/